Local News

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting at the Dent County Courthouse a day after they held a special meeting Wednesday to work on the 2018 budget. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams was in attendance to present the sales tax dollars received by Dent County. She reported the General Revenue Fund sales taxes received came to $88,929.63 and that comes to $11,802.08 more than the county received last January when they took in $77,127.55. That increase is about 15 percent. However, the Road and Bridge Fund sales taxes receipts came in less than what was received in 2017. Williams said they received $35,803.73 while last year, Road and Bridge took in $36,584.70. She went on to report the two jail sales tax funds each brought in $62,844.93 and since November, each fund has brought in $131,396.01. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said there were reports of low hanging limbs that workers would be taking care of before the next storm. One of those limbs was on Dent County Road 6320 that struck a school bus. He also went on to report work crews were getting the equipment ready to plow or treat the roads with the adverse weather expected. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported that workers would be filling a rather large pot hole on Dent County Road 6140 to hold it over until the road can be worked on. He wanted to remind everyone that because of the frozen road conditions, grading and patch grading of the county roads could actually make the driving surface worse than it already is. People will need to be patient until the conditions become more favorable for that type of work to be done. Larson went to report that workers would be working on county truck #65 and that workers would also be out checking roads for downed or low hanging limbs. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said the Salem Area Community Betterment Association annual Trivia Night would be held on March 16th at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. All three commissioners signed a Quit-Claim Deed for the Wishon Family property in Crawford County that was part of the Burlington Northern railroad easement that had been approved by the commission a couple months ago. The Dent County Courthouse will be closed on Monday for Martin Luther King Day. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Thursday morning and it will be open to the public.

Healthy Dent County (HDC) is proud to announce that it has been chosen to receive tax credits through the Missouri Department of Economic Development’s Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP). Donations received through NAP will benefit Healthy Dent County as they expand the Salem Community Center @ the Armory by adding a new gymnasium to the north end of the building and expanding the Fitness Center that will provide recreational and health benefits for all ages. Credits can equal 70 percent of the total amount contributed, providing a state tax savings for businesses and individuals who participate, while making a difference in the lives of the citizens of Dent County. The total amount of NAP tax credits approved for Healthy Dent County is $350,000 and they will conduct a capital campaign for the $500,000 needed to begin expansion of the Salem Community Center @ the Armory located at 1200 W. Rolla Road. Along with this $500,000 Healthy Dent County has also received an additional $250,000 grant from a national foundation. It is estimated the new expansion will cost in excess of $1 million so additional fundrasing will need to be obtained. Liz Gruendel, the Chairman of Healthy Dent County, along with Executive Director Sherry Lea, board members and numerous committee members are currently working to finalize plans, write additional grants and raising the funds needed for this project.
Through NAP, businesses and individuals with business income can donate cash, materials, supplies or equipment; technical assistance and professional services; labor; real estate; or stocks and bonds. For additional information on this or any Healthy Dent County project please call 729-8163 or e-mail sherry@salemcommunitycenter.org.

The GRO Salem economic development plan will be on full display tonight at the Salem High School Gym starting at about 5:30. They will have informational tables in the gym lobby on a variety of projects and people at the game will also hear a presentation on student internships at local businesses during halftime of the Salem Tiger varsity basketball game. Other information will also be available on downtown streetscape improvement plans, old city hall improvements, “I Heart Salem” and more! Come on out to the game and find out more about the exciting plans for the future of your community.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released some reports. On Friday, December 29th, deputies received a report of items stolen from trucks belonging to Intercounty Electric Cooperative Association. The trucks were parked on Route JJ. The items include a back up camera, radio, harness for bucket work, air hose, rain suit, traffic cones, first aid kit, chipper battery, battery from truck, and various hand tools. This report is still under investigation. On Tuesday, January 2nd, deputies attempted to stop a vehicle on Route VV. After a short pursuit, deputies located the vehicle and the driver at a residence on Route VV. As a result of the stop, a 28-year old Salem man was arrested from driving while having his license revoked and for resisting arrest, traffic stop ands detention. He was fingerprinted, issued a summons to appear in court, and released. That same day, deputies took a report of two vehicles being damaged at a residence on Highway 19 North. This report is still under investigation. On Thursday, January 4th, a 30-year old woman from Black was being booked into the Dent County Jail and a plastic baggie containing methamphetamine was located in her bra. She was charged with delivery of a controlled substance to a jail and given a $10,000 cash only bond. That same day, deputies took a report of property damage to a vehicle at Highway 68 and Dent County Road 3305. It was discovered that a 19-year old Salem man had kicked the door to a vehicle at the intersection after an argument. He was arrested, fingerprinted, issued a citation for 2nd Degree Property Damage, and released. If anyone has any information regarding ongoing investigations, please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 729-3241.

A new session of online core training to become a certified Master Gardener begins January 22nd. The popularity of the online classes has grown steadily since MU Extension began offering them in 2013. In the past, some people had to travel many miles to attend Master Gardener classes. State horticulture specialist for University of Missouri Extension David Trinklein and MU Extension regional horticulture specialist Sarah Denkler teach the 14 online sessions. Classes are delivered as a series of scripted and narrated PowerPoint presentations. To pass the course, participants need a composite score of 70 percent on chapter quizzes. Subjects include basic botany, soils and plant nutrition, vegetable gardening, fruit production, insects and diseases, landscaping and landscape plants, turf management, and pesticide safety. Core training is the first step toward Master Gardener certification. Trainees must also complete a minimum of 30 hours of volunteer service. Local Master Gardener chapters help online trainees find volunteer opportunities to meet the service hour requirements. The registration deadline for the online spring session is Monday, January 15th. For more information, call 573-729-3196. The course also may be taken for personal enrichment only (no volunteer requirement) for a higher registration fee.

The Missouri Department of Conservation and the Missouri Department of Transportation invite Missouri public, private, and home-schooled students in grades Kindergarten through 8th grade to help fight litter in a creative and fun way by participating in the 2018 “Yes You CAN Make Missouri Litter-Free” trash-can-decorating contest. The contest encourages school classes and school groups to join in the fight against litter by decorating and displaying a large trash can with the “No MOre Trash!” logo and a litter-prevention message using a variety of creative media. Schools may submit one entry in each competition category: K-2, 3-5, and 6-8. Entries are judged based on creativity, adherence to contest rules, and effective use of theme and logo. First-place winners from each competition category will receive $200 awarded to the sponsoring schools. All first-place winners are then eligible for a grand prize of a trophy and $600 awarded to the sponsoring school. There is no entry fee for the contest. Participating school groups must submit a completed entry form online with no more than three photos to nomoretrash.org by Friday, March 16. Contest rules, entry forms, logo, and past contest entries and winners can also be found at nomoretrash.org. There is no entry fee for the contest

It is the final full week where candidates can file for school board of education openings, the hospital board opening, the Dent County Health Board vacancy, the Dent County Fire Protection District Board as well as for offices for the City of Salem. Filing will continue through the close of business on Tuesday, January 16th. For those interested in filing, Monday will be Martin Luther King Day and almost all of the registration locations will be closed. As of Friday, January 5th, Oak Hill R-1 school had three persons sign up for the school board openings and they are James Terrill, Nathan Ragsdale and Amanda Dooley. Persons signing up for the Green Forest R-2 school board openings are Dee Moser and Michael Jones. At Dent-Phelps R-3, Alisha Brookshire is the only person to file, while three persons have filed for the Northwood R-4 school board openings and they are Dave Tiefenthaler, Dawn Ros and Chris Welch. For the Salem R-80 board openings, Chris Heavin, Carrie Snider and Kevin James have all filed. The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board has one seat available for a six-year term for District 5 and incumbent Ray Bruno has filed for that seat. For the Dent County Health Board of Trustees seat, Dennis Floyd has filed for the position. The City of Salem has one West Ward Alderman seat and one East Ward Alderman seat available as well as the Mayor’s position. Incumbent Kim Shelton has filed for the East Ward Aldermanic position, while incumbent Molly Zettel has filed for the West Ward Aldermanic seat along with former Aldermen Kenny Nash. Incumbent Brad Nash has filed for the mayor’s position. Those interested in filing for a position on any school board or the hospital board should file at each particular entity and there is no cost to file. Those wishing to file for a position on the Dent County Health Board need to go to the Dent County Clerk’s office to file. Those wishing to file for either Aldermanic position or the mayor’s position for the City of Salem should file at the City Administrative building and there is a $25 fee to file and you must be current with your city utilities. Again, the deadline to file for any of these positions is Tuesday, January 16th at the regular close of business.

The University of Missouri Extension Dent County Council is currently holding their election for council members that will assist in the planning and the carrying out of extension programs in the county. They will also provide local extension governance and will represent the diversity of the county’s changing population. The University of Missouri Extension offers educational programs addressing high priority areas like agriculture, horticulture, nutrition, consumer and family economics, business and industry, community development and youth development including 4-H. There are three districts: the Central District (which includes those living in the City of Salem and close outlying areas); the Northern District (Watkins, Norma, Shortbend, Meramec and Osage Townships); and the Southern District (Texas, Franklin, Linn, Sinkin, Gladden and Current Townships.) On the ballot, only vote for the people who live in your district. If you do not know which district you live in, call the extension office at 729-3196. Ballots must be postmarked by Friday, January 12th, or you can drop them off on the second floor of the Judicial Building until 4:30 Friday afternoon. Ballots are available at the extension office, in Monday’s Your World Today, in Tuesday’s Salem News and at Vandivort Drug. You can also vote online at www.extension.missouri.edu/dent by Friday.

Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation shows that deer hunters in Missouri harvested 10,025 deer during the alternative-methods portion of the fall firearms deer season, which ran December 23rd – January 2nd. Of the total harvest, 2,827 were antlered bucks, 1,312 were button bucks, and 5,886 were does. Top harvest counties were Howell with 249 deer harvested, Franklin with 215, and Oregon with 214. The harvest total for last year’s alternative-methods portion was 10,602 consisting of 2,787 antlered bucks, 1,496 button bucks, and 6,319 does. Deer hunting continues for this season with statewide archery hunting through January 15.

The Salem VA Clinic will have a DAV Van to provide transportation for local Veterans with appointments at the VA Hospitals in Columbia and Poplar Bluff. There is an immediate need for volunteer drivers. It is preferred that volunteers would be able to commit to a certain day or two per week. The van will be a valuable asset for Veterans traveling long distances due to the recent changes in reimbursements for travel. Anyone interested in helping should contact Richard LaBrash at (573) 729-1394.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning for their regular meeting. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell reported that the southern half of Dent County received about 3/5ths of an inch of rain and freezing rain on Sunday. He said crews were out treating roads that have been reported to be slick, especially the hills and curves to make sure they are passable. District 2 Commissioner Larson said his crews will also be out sanding slick spots that have been reported as well as the hills. Larson went on to report workers would be retrieving and installing a radiator in Loader #3. Other workers would be doing shop maintenance and would be stockpiling white rock at the shop if time allows. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles attended a SACBA Board meeting Monday night. Deputy County Clerk Crystal Pilkington indicated the treasurer and the county clerk balanced on all accounts for the month of December. The commissioners continue to work on budgets in all departments. The next meeting of the commission will be Thursday morning at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

An accident happened in Phelps County Monday morning at 5:35 on Phelps County Road 3060 about 1/10th of a mile west of Glassphalt Road. According to the highway patrol report, a 2002 Chevy Trailblazer driven by 53-year old Lon Reising of Salem, was traveling eastbound when he lost control of the Trailblazer and it went off the north side of the roadway and overturned. Reising suffered minor injuries and was taken to the Phelps County Regional Medical Center by the Phelps County Ambulance. He was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Trailblazer was totaled in the accident and removed from the scene by Ron Dishman’s Towing of Rolla. The highway patrol was assisted by the Rolla Police Department and Rolla Rural Fire Department.

An accident in Phelps County Sunday night at 8:28 on Route B about 1.8 miles north of St. James. According to the highway patrol report, a 2007 Ford F-250 driven by 49-yaer old Steve Lorts of Rolla, traveled across the center of the roadway when Lorts overcorrected and the truck traveled back across the center of the road before going off the right side of the Route B striking several trees. Lorts suffered minor injuries and was taken to the Phelps County Regional Medical Center by a Phelps County Deputy. The Ford was totaled and removed from the scene by Ron Dishman’s Towing. Lorts was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident.

The Salem Police Department has released some reports for the early part of the new year. On New Years Day at approximately 4:48 in afternoon, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The investigation of the stop led to the arrest of a 59-year old male of Salem on an active arrest warrant from Dent County. The suspect was later released after paying all fines and court costs associated with the warrant. Then on Wednesday morning, January 3rd at 7:06, an officer located a 28-year old male of Salem at a residence in the 300 block of North Walker who had an active arrest warrant from Dent County. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrant and incarcerated pending a court appearance. That same m,orning at about 10:30, an officer was detailed to Phil-Mart in reference a theft. That investigation revealed that a person or persons unknown took $3,450.00 cash from the business. The report is under investigation. That afternoon at about 1:37, an officer located a 75-year old female of Salem in the 600 block of South Elmer who had an active arrest warrant from Texas County. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrant and incarcerated pending extradition. That evening at approximately 9:56, an officer was sent to a residence in the 1000 block of West Hunt for a possible theft and drug activity. The investigation of that report led to the arrest of a 30-year old female of Black for the possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. The suspect was incarcerated pending the application for warrants. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have information regarding any ongoing investigation.

An accident happened in St. Francois County Thursday afternoon at 3:05 at the intersection of Loughboro and Rock Road. According to the highway patrol report, a 2002 Chevy Malibu driven southbound by 18-year old Steven Wirey of Bismarck was traveling southbound on Rock Road when Wirey failed to stop for a posted stop sign. The Malibu struck the right side of a 2008 GMC Savanna G3500 Van driven westbound on Loughboro Road by 40-year old Richard Champney of Salem, sending the van off the left side of the roadway where the van struck a fence, ejecting Champney from the vehicle. Champney suffered serious injuries and was transported by Air Evac Helicopter to Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. Wirey and a passenger in the Malibu, 16-year old Michael Bass, Jr. of Bismarck, suffered minor injuries and were taken to the Parkland Health Center in Farmington by a private vehicle. Another passenger in the Malibu, 17-year old Emma Simonton of Bismarck, suffered moderate injuries and was taken to the Parkland Health Center by the St. Francois County Ambulance. No one in either vehicle was wearing a seat restraint. Both vehicles sustained extensive damage and were towed from the scene by Buckley’s Towing.

The Salem Police Department has released some reports for shoplifting at Wal-Mart before the end of 2017. The first incident occurred on Thursday, December 28th at 9:28 in the evening. The investigation of the report led to the arrest of a 19-year old male of Salem for stealing merchandise valued at $0.99. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. The on Saturday afternoon, December 30th at about 1:35, an investigation led to the arrest of a 27-year old male of Salem for stealing merchandise valued at $71.60. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Another report came in on New Year’s Eve at about 8:19 in the evening. That investigation led to the arrest of a 21 year-old male of Salem for stealing merchandise valued at $0.78. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released.

Schools, churches or charitable organizations contemplating a small community project that needs funding should apply for a small grant from the Meramec Regional Community Foundation (MRCF). For the last six years, MRCF has awarded grants to further local projects through its community grant program. An estimated six grants of $250 each will be available to nonprofit, 501(c)3 organizations, schools, faith-based organizations and governmental entities looking to address local needs that will enhance the quality of life within the community. 2012 marked the inaugural year for this grant program, and in the last six years, $9,400 in grant funds have been awarded to 34 community projects throughout the region as a result. Awardees in 2017 included the Bonebrake Center of Nature and History in Salem, Esther’s House of Redemption, Newburg Community Revitalization Program, Owensville Chamber of Commerce, Pulaski County Salvation Army and the Washington County Community Partnership. Applications for the 2018 grant round will be accepted online only until 5:00 PM on January 31st. Organizations, schools and governmental entities must be based in the Meramec Region to qualify. This includes Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties. For more information, contact Maria Bancroft at mbancroft@meramecregion.org or 573-265-2993 extension 114. Online applications may be found and submitted at www.formstack.com/forms/CFO-mrcfgrantapp.

Wondering what the GRO Salem economic development project is all about? Come out to support the Salem High School basketball team at their January 12 home game against the Thayer Bobcats and hear about student internships at local businesses, downtown streetscape improvement plans, old city hall improvements, “I Heart Salem” and more! Representatives from GRO will be in attendance starting at 6:00 at informational tables will be located in the lobby of the high school to provide with you with details and more information, and you can buy “I Heart Salem” t-shirts, decals and signs that evening to show your support!

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning for their regular meeting in the Dent County Courthouse. In the road report, District One Commissioner Dennis Purcell said his crew was replacing a seal in a pump on the spreader box for Truck #119, plus servicing Cat Loader #24. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson reported that part of his crew was responding to a call from the Dent County Sheriff’s Department about a water line break on Dent County Road 6680. He said since 6680 is chip and sealed, his men would be putting sand on the icy roadway instead of salt. Larson went on to say that some of his crew would be doing maintenance at the Road and Bridge Department. In relation to the county possibly adopting the recycling program that the City of Salem had, Larson said he was contacting Jill Hollowell with the Ozark River Solid Waste Management District about possible funds for the program. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles credited and complemented county office holders for staying within their budgets and that at year’s end all funds were in good financial shape. Larson noted that it had been a challenge for Road and Bridge due to the spring floods and the wait on FEMA reimbursement funds. Skiles again reminded vendors that, according to state statues, only payroll can be paid until the 2018 budget is approved. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said she was continuing to work on the budget and that a notice would be posted in next week’s paper as to when the tentative budget would be available and when the budget hearing would be. The Commissioners set January 18th for the tentative budget to be available by 3:00 pm and the budget hearing to be held at 10:00 am on January 29th. Richard LaBrash was in to report that the Adopt-A-Vet program was a huge success with all the veterans at the St. James Veterans home being sponsored. He expressed his gratitude to Dent County residents for their support of the program. LaBrash also reported that the Salem VA Clinic would be getting a van for transporting veterans to the VA Hospitals in Poplar Bluff and Columbia. He noted that volunteer drivers are needed and those interested in volunteering could contact him at (573) 729-1394. The next meeting of the Commission will be Monday morning in the Courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Dent County Health Center will be holding the “Billion Step Challenge” again this year starting January 8th and ending April 8th. Last year’s challenge was a great success with over one billion steps walked and Dent County captured national recognition for the effort of their citizens. They hope to do even better this year! In this year’s competition, teams cannot consist of more than four members and you will also be responsible for turning your steps in as no one will be calling to get step counts. The weekly step counts will run from Monday through Sunday and all steps must be reported by the following Wednesday or they will not be counted. To register for the “Billion Step Challenge,” call the Dent County Health Center at 729-3106 or stop by the health center at 601 South McArthur. You can also register by going to the Dent County Health Center Facebook page or their twitter account, access the “Billion Step” link and enter your information. You can also submit your step totals each week this way as well. For any questions you may have or if your need more information about the “Billion Step Challenge,” call 729-3106.

Volunteers for AARP will be conducting free tax filing assistance at the Salem Community Center@ the Armory computer lab this year. This free tax filing assistance will begin on Friday, February 2nd and continue every Friday until April 13th. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers are trained in filing certain tax forms and schedules, including the Form 1040. However, the Volunteer Protection Act requires that our volunteers stay in the scope of the program. If counselors feel they do not have adequate knowledge or your return is too complex, you may need to seek another qualified counselor or paid tax assistance. Items you need to bring to have your tax returns prepared include: Proof of identification – Picture ID; Social Security Cards for you, your spouse and dependents or a Social Security Number verification letter issued by the Social Security Administration or; birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents on the tax return. Wage and earning statement(s) Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, 1099-Misc from all employers; Year-end Social Security Statements showing total SS received and Medicare payments; Interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099). A copy of last year’s federal and state returns if available; Proof of bank account routing numbers and account numbers for Direct Deposit, such as a blank check or deposit slip. To file taxes electronically on a married-filing-joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms. The Salem Community Center @ the Armory is located at 1200 West Rolla Road. Appointments for the AARP can be made by calling the Salem Community Center at 729-8163.

The vendor who provides the Missouri State Parks online survey services will be performing maintenance this Friday beginning at 7:00 that will last approximately 12 hours. During this time, citizens will be unable to submit comments about the proposed Jay Nixon State Park in Reynolds County through our online surveys. Therefore, Missouri State Parks is extending the comment period through January 6th. They apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Missouri State Parks held a series of public meetings in early December to discuss the future of three different state park properties. The three properties, which have not been developed and are currently closed, are Ozark Mountain State Park in Taney County, Bryant Creek State Park in Douglas County and Jay Nixon State Park in Reynolds County. The meetings also kicked off a month-long comment period originally set to close on Friday, but it has now been extended through Saturday at midnight. For more information and to complete an online survey, go to mostateparks.com.

The Salem Police Department has released a couple of reports. At approximately 10:43 in the morning on Friday, December 22nd, an officer was sent to a residence in the 900 block of North Park reference a theft. The investigation of the report revealed that a person or persons unknown took $1900.00 cash from inside the residence. The report is under investigation. On Thursday morning, December 28th at about 1:06, an officer was contacted in reference to a theft from a storage unit located at Highway 32 and Sligo. The investigation of the report revealed that a person or persons unknown broke into a unit and took items valued at $750.00. The report is under investigation. If anyone has information about any ongoing investigation, please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242.

The Community Blood Center of the Ozarks (CBCO) will hold a blood drive in Salem TODAY from 8:30 this morning until 2:30 this afternoon at the Salem High School Agriculture Building. O negative, A negative and B negative blood is in short supply, with less than a two-day reserve level for those types. To be eligible to give blood, you must weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good health, and present a valid photo ID. For more information, contact Heather Johnson (573) 729-6641.

The Salem Board of Aldermen met Tuesday night at the city hall council chambers with Alderman Shelton attending via video. After approval of the consent agenda, City Administrator Ray Walden reported that the city has removed the recycling bins that were located at the Salem Upper Elementary School since the City residents now have curbside recycling service. The city is still looking for a local source to continue the recycling program for county residents. Walden noted that future utility bills will list the recycling dates for the east and west side. Walden reported that he would like to include any CDL license requirement into the appropriate job descriptions and not have it included in the differential pay schedule. He will bring proposed position descriptions at a future meeting. The next alderman meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 16 and city offices will be closed because of the MLK holiday. Walden recommended and the board approved moving the February 5th Alderman meeting to the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. This meeting will immediately follow a public meeting that is being held with the Drury Visioning project. The board approved Bill No. 3356, an ordinance authorizing the mayor to executive a memorandum of agreement between the city and the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce. They also approved Bill No. 3357, an ordinance authorizing the mayor to execute an agreement between the city and the Salem High School 2018 Project Graduation. The board also approved a payment of $5,000 to the Chamber. The board then adjourned.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports that there were seven fatalities during the New Year’s holiday counting period from 6:00 Friday evening, December 29th until 11:59 Monday night, January 1st. Troopers investigated 229 traffic crashes, which included 77 injuries and five of the seven fatalities. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and Sullivan Police Department each investigated one traffic crash fatality during the counting period. In addition, troopers made 129 arrests for driving while intoxicated and 49 drug arrests during the 2018 New Year counting period. There were no boating crashes or drownings during the 2018 New Year’s holiday counting period. There were no fatalities in the Troop I area. Last year over the New Year’s holiday counting period, Missouri law enforcement agencies reported 539 traffic crashes, which injured 302 people. There were eight fatalities during the 2017 New Year’s holiday counting period. In addition, troopers made 103 arrests for driving while intoxicated and 67 drug arrests. There were no boating incidents or drownings during the 2017 New Year’s holiday counting period.

If you have a need for infant and toddler size gloves, mittens, hats, and children’s blankets during this bitterly cold weather, feel free to stop by the Dent County Health Center at the corner of Franklin and McArthur. The health center will have available a “Warming Tree” loaded with those items in their foyer and they are free to those who need them to stay warm. The tree will stay up through February. If you would like to help restock the items people have already taken from the tree, you can donate gloves, mittens, all sizes of hats and children’s blankets to the “Warming Tree.” For more information about the “Warming Tree” or about donating items to the “Warming Tree” at the Dent County Health Center, feel free to call them at 729-3106 or stop by Dent County Health Center at 601 S. McArthur.

Healthy Dent County is unrolling its first ever Dent County Youth Community Calendar. This calendar will consist of events and programs that are designed for children 18 years of age and younger in the Salem area. There will be a physical calendar released to the community and the schools every four months. In addition there will also be an online calendar. The online calendar will be continually be updated as events and programs get added throughout the year. All you have to do is visit this website: dentcountyyouthcalendar.org. If you would like more information about adding events and/or programs to the Dent County Youth Community Calendar, please contact Kelsey Schatz at kelsey@salemcommunitycenter.org or call 729-8163.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will hold their regular meeting this evening at 7:00 at the City Hall Council Chambers. At the meeting, the board will hear from City Administrator Ray Walden about the CDL and differential pay topic before Walden discusses different days for select meetings in 2018. Mayor Brad Nash will give his report before the aldermen hear Bill #3356 for an agreement between the City of Salem and the Salem Chamber of Commerce for services, and also Bill #3357 for an agreement between the city and 2018 Project Graduation for services provided to the city. After the board hears any bills that come in over $3,000, the meeting will be adjourned. The City of Salem Board of Aldermen meeting Tuesday night is open to the public.

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors will conduct their January meeting tonight at the fire station beginning at 6:00 pm. After approving the agenda and the minutes from the previous meeting, the Board will review financial reports and approve bills. The Board will go over their calendar of upcoming events and discuss the monthly reimbursement report. The Board will address any old or new business that may come before the Board before hearing reports on various items concerning the district. The Board may vote to go into closed session if necessary and they will set their next meeting date. The January meeting of the Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors is open to the public.

The Community Blood Center of the Ozarks will have a blood drive in Salem today from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the First Baptist Church in Salem. O negative, A negative and B negative blood is in short supply, with less than a two-day reserve level for those types. To be eligible to give blood, you must weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good health, and present a valid photo ID. For more information about the blood drive, contact Cindy Sachs (573) 729-4241.

The Salem Police Department has released some reports. On Thursday, December 14th at approximately 9:36 in the evening, an officer was dispatched to Wal-Mart in reference to a shoplifter. The investigation of the report led to the arrest of a 33-year old female of Salem for stealing merchandise valued at $20.52. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On Friday, December 15th at approximately 5:44 in the morning, an officer was dispatched to a one vehicle accident near the bridge at Tenth and Walnut Hill. The investigation of the accident led to the arrest of a 37-year old male of Salem for driving while being intoxicated. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On Saturday, December 16th at approximately 12:28 in the afternoon, an officer located a 23-year old female of Salem who had an active arrest warrant from Dent County at a residence in the 800 block of South Oak. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrant and released to the Dent County Sheriff’s Department. On Monday, December 18th near 11:30 at night, a vehicle was stopped for an investigation of an active arrest warrant. The investigation led to the arrest of a 29-year old female of Salem on an active arrest warrant from Dent County. The suspect was released to the custody of the Dent County Sheriffs Department. On Tuesday, December 19th at approximately 6:52 in the evening, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. That investigation led to the arrest of a 40-year old male of Salem for driving while having his license revoked. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have information regarding any ongoing investigation.